Apple unveils lineup next week with new iPhone, iPad and Mac models

Apple’s product slate for March 4 appears to be a strategic push into three distinct market segments: budget‑friendly smartphones, mid‑range tablets with AI‑ready silicon, and a refreshed Mac lineup aimed at both entry‑level users and AI‑heavy professionals. The centerpiece, the iPhone 17e, will launch at a $599 entry price—matching the iPhone 16e’s starting point, according to 9to5Mac. Beyond the price tag, the 17e is slated to ship with Apple’s new A19 processor, a Center Stage‑enabled front camera, MagSafe enhancements, and upgraded C1X and N1 wireless chips. Rumors also suggest the notch could finally give way to a Dynamic Island interface, a move that would align the entry‑level model with Apple’s flagship design language (9to5Mac). While sales data for the 16e remain opaque, analysts see the 17e as a “stronger overall product” that could shore up Apple’s low‑end segment, which has become increasingly important as competitors flood the market with sub‑$500 Android devices.

The tablet announcements are expected to follow a similar “spec‑bump” philosophy. 9to5Mac reports that Apple will unveil two new iPads: a base model powered by the A18 chip and an iPad Air equipped with the M4 processor. The A18‑based iPad will retain the familiar chassis but will gain “Apple Intelligence” support, unlocking the next wave of AI‑driven features across iPadOS, including a new Siri rollout slated for later this year. The M4‑based Air, meanwhile, represents an incremental upgrade over the previous generation, keeping the design unchanged while delivering modest performance gains for creative and productivity workloads (9to5Mac). By positioning the A18 iPad as the entry point for AI capabilities, Apple signals its intent to make machine‑learning tools a baseline expectation rather than a premium add‑on.

Mac hardware will see the most varied refresh. The long‑discontinued base‑model MacBook is rumored to return with a 12.9‑inch display, an A18 Pro chip, 8 GB of RAM, and a palette of “fun color options,” priced around $699 (9to5Mac). Apple appears to be targeting users who have already adopted the iPhone ecosystem and are looking for a low‑cost bridge between traditional PCs and the Mac world. In parallel, the MacBook Pro line will receive new configurations of the 14‑inch and 16‑inch models, now offering M5 Pro and M5 Max silicon. According to 9to5Mac, the chassis will stay the same as the October launch, with the upgrades aimed squarely at AI‑intensive tasks such as large‑scale model inference and high‑resolution video rendering. CNET’s coverage of the event notes that Apple may also roll out a Studio Display 2 featuring a 120 Hz ProMotion panel, HDR support, and an A19 chip, as well as a new Mac Studio equipped with M5 Max and M5 Ultra variants—the first “Ultra” chip since the M3 generation (CNET). These additions would round out a product family that spans from entry‑level laptops to professional workstations, reinforcing Apple’s claim that its Macs are the go‑to platform for AI development.

Beyond the headline devices, the rumor mill hints at a handful of ancillary launches that could further cement Apple’s ecosystem lock‑in. A potential M5‑powered MacBook Air, slated to replace the M4 version introduced a year ago, may appear alongside the refreshed Studio Display (9to5Mac). If confirmed, the Air would give users a thin, lightweight laptop with enough horsepower to handle everyday AI tasks without the premium price tag of the Pro line. Meanwhile, the proposed 100 W USB‑C fast charger and limited‑time pricing on AirPods Pro 3 ($229) suggest Apple is also using the event to boost peripheral sales, a tactic that aligns with its broader strategy of monetizing accessories (9to5Mac). While the exact lineup will only be verified on stage, the convergence of entry‑level iPhone pricing, AI‑ready iPad silicon, and a tiered Mac portfolio underscores Apple’s effort to capture both price‑sensitive consumers and high‑end professionals as AI becomes a mainstream computing requirement.